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The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master Chapter 209 – My Little Classroom (1)

Chapter 209 – My Little Classroom (1)

Yu​​​ Sein asked.

“If‍ you had to​ choose between two‍‌‍ things, which would‌‍​ you pick?”

“……?”​

Abel‍‌ was stunned for​ a moment. What⁠‌⁠ was a “choice⁠‌ game”? It was‍ when two options​ held similar weight,‌ and you were⁠ forced to choose⁠ between them. In⁠⁠‌ other words, if⁠‍ the options weren’t‌‍‍ balanced, the game​⁠‌ didn’t work.

But‌ this time, the‌​ options were.

A relationship with Kang⁠⁠⁠ Geom-Ma vs. The‍ end of the‌ world.

If⁠ it had been⁠⁠ the usual Abel,​‍​ she would’ve frowned​‌⁠ and said something​⁠‌ sarcastic.

It⁠ wasn’t that one‌‍​ option had more‍‌ value than the‍‍​ other… they were⁠ just completely incompatible.‍ From the start,⁠ the premise of​ the game was​​‍ broken.

However,‌‍‌ that wasn’t what‍‌ left Abel speechless.‍ What truly unsettled‍⁠ her was how​⁠ ominous the second​⁠ option sounded.

The‍‍‌ end of the‍​ world.

In‍⁠ a world invaded​‍ by demons and‍‌ magical beasts, those‍‍‍ words carried enormous⁠‍ weight. After all,‍ 700 years ago,‍‍ humanity had already⁠‌‌ been on the​ brink of collapse⁠ once.

Even⁠‌⁠ as a joke,⁠ no one dared‍‍​ say something so⁠​ foreboding.

Don’t‍⁠ they say words​‍ shape reality? This⁠‍​ was a world‍ where magic and⁠‍ blessings existed. Here,‌​ even a simple‍⁠​ sentence could hold⁠ power. Abel believed⁠ that too.

And‍​​ yet, Sein had⁠ casually thrown that‌ out as part‍​​ of a game.‍ Even as a joke, this was⁠⁠​ going too far.⁠‌‍ And yet…

The​⁠​ way Sein looked⁠‍ at her was‍ deadly serious. There⁠ wasn’t a trace‍​‍ of sarcasm. That​⁠⁠ sincere gaze left‍ Abel blank.

“…….”​

Silence⁠ spread around them.⁠​ After a moment,‍‍⁠ Sein gave a faint smile. Then‍‌ she dusted herself​ off and stood‍⁠⁠ up.

“Now​‌ I understand just⁠ how much you​⁠⁠ like my cousin.⁠‍ If you’re even⁠‍ willing to hesitate⁠‌‌ in the face⁠ of the end‍ of the world…”‍‌‍

Hearing​ that, Abel thought​​ was it that​ little pause that‍‍ caused the misunderstanding?‍ Did Sein think‍​‌ she was taking​ it that seriously?‌‌ In reality, she‍‌‌ had just been​‌​ too stunned to⁠​ speak.

Sein‍ had completely misinterpreted​ the situation. She​‌ thought Abel was​ willing to choose‍ Kang Geom-Ma even‍ if it meant⁠⁠‌ the world’s destruction.‌⁠ It wasn’t entirely⁠‍ wrong—but it wasn’t‌​ right either.

Abel‍​ wanted to explain.‌⁠⁠ But Sein spoke‍⁠‌ again, her eyes​ smiling.

“If‍​‍ you care about⁠⁠⁠ him that much,⁠ then I’ll do‍⁠ my best too—to‌⁠​ make sure the⁠ world doesn’t end.​ Even if I have to pay‍ a steep price​ to those ‘above.’​‍ After all, my‍ fate is to‍​⁠ protect the happiness⁠‍‌ of the ‘one⁠‍​ from beyond.’”

Abel⁠‌‌ didn’t understand a word. Those above?⁠​​ One from beyond?​‌ Happiness? She vaguely​⁠​ assumed Sein belonged‍ to some kind‍‍ of organization. Beyond⁠⁠ that, she was‍​‍ lost.

‘Why​ is she telling⁠​ me all this‌​ out of nowhere?’‍‌‍

Sein’s‌‍ tone sounded more‌⁠ like a farewell‍ than a casual‍‍​ chat. Like she​⁠ was leaving behind‍​​ her final words.‍

Uneasy,‍ Abel asked in⁠⁠ a stammer. Her​​ tongue didn’t quite​⁠​ obey her.

“W-wait.‍ I don’t get⁠ it. What was‍ all that supposed⁠ to mean?”

Sein​⁠ smiled faintly and‌‌ answered.

“You’ll‌​‌ know soon. Actually,‌ it would’ve been‍⁠⁠ better if you⁠​‌ never knew. But⁠​⁠ things have gotten‍ too complicated. So‍​⁠ there’s no choice—you’ll‌ find out, whether‌ you want to‍‍ or not.”

“……?!”‍‍

With‌‍‍ that, Sein turned‌​ and began walking,​‍‍ retracing the exact⁠‌⁠ path she had‌ taken.

Abel⁠⁠ wanted to reach‌ out to stop‍‌‌ her, but couldn’t.​‍ It felt like‍⁠⁠ a chilling force‌‍‍ was holding her‌‌ back.

Sein⁠‍​ raised her head.‌‌ The stars shimmered​​ in the dark​ sky like sharp‌​ eyes. And it‍​ felt like every‌ one of them‌ was staring at‌ her.

And‍ in Abel’s eyes,​ it was as‌⁠ if Sein was‍‌​ bearing all those‍ gazes on her‍‍‌ shoulders. That thought​ filled her chest‍⁠‌ with sadness and‍‍ sympathy.

“Yu‌‍ Sein… you and⁠ Kang Geom-Ma’s family…​ what on earth​ are you hiding…?”⁠

Abel​‍ murmured, still unaware⁠ of the future⁠ that strange conversation⁠​ would bring.

***​‌​

At‍ the same time,‌​ in a hotel‍ near Joaquin Academy—‌​‍

Kojima‍ stood beside a floor-to-ceiling window.

The⁠​‍ hotel suite was⁠‍ spacious enough to​⁠‍ host dozens of⁠ guests, yet it‌ had been reserved‍⁠ for him alone.‌​‍

With​‍⁠ one hand behind⁠‌‌ his back and‍ a glass of‌⁠ whiskey in the‌ other, Kojima slowly‌‌ swirled the drink.‍‍‌

“You​‌ failed to persuade‌‌‌ him, didn’t you,⁠‌​ Hina?”

Saki‍ Hina, standing behind‍‍ him, flinched as​ her eyelids trembled.‍⁠⁠

“…Yes.‌​​ My apologies for⁠‌‌ disappointing you.”

She‍‍⁠ swallowed hard, steadied⁠⁠ her voice, and‍⁠⁠ continued.

“Heavenly‌ Sword Kang Geom-Ma⁠ isn’t just physically‍‍‍ exceptional—his mental fortitude‍ is far too‍‌ advanced. My blessing‍‍‍ had no effect.⁠⁠ I believe external‍‍​ means won’t work‌ on him…”

Though​⁠‍ she tried to⁠ appear calm, her‍ legs were shaking,​‌⁠ barely supporting her.‌

“I‌ see. You may​‌ go.”

At‌ Kojima’s command, Hina’s‍ face stiffened. Knowing​‌ his temperament, it‌‍‌ wouldn’t be surprising‍ if he lashed⁠ out coldly.

“Y-yes,‍⁠‍ Prime Minister. Have‌ a good night.”‌

Despite‌ her unease, Hina‌ bowed deeply and⁠​⁠ left the room‍⁠‍ quickly.

Silence​ enveloped the grand‍‍‌ suite. Kojima took⁠​ a sip of​⁠​ whiskey. Perhaps from​​ the bitterness, he​‌ muttered under his⁠​ breath.

“How‌‍‍ much longer do​⁠‍ you intend to⁠ hide?”

No⁠ sooner had he⁠‍ spoken than a shadow slipped down⁠‍​ from the ceiling.⁠ The dark mass‍⁠‍ gradually took human​‌​ form, chuckling.

“Heh…‌‍‌ Even with my​⁠‌ Crow’s Blessing at​‌ full strength, you​‌⁠ saw through me⁠​ immediately. You truly​ are something else,⁠​‍ Kojima. Had I stayed a moment​‌‌ longer, I’d have‍ taken an arrow‌‌ to the brow.”‍

It​​​ was Altair, head‌ of the Auditore‌ family. Stroking his‌ beard, he stepped‍‌⁠ closer. Kojima replied⁠ with icy disdain.⁠‍

“How⁠‌‍ odd. A man⁠‌⁠ of your wisdom⁠‌ barging into my‌ room. Is old‌⁠‌ age dulling your‌ senses?”

Even​‍ considering their ranks,‌ Kojima’s tone was‍‍‍ openly contemptuous. Altair⁠⁠ was at least⁠ seven years older‌‌ and held comparable‍⁠⁠ status. As the​ leader of the⁠‍ Shadow Family, he​ commanded great respect.‌‌⁠

But​ Altair only chuckled.​ After all, he​‍ was the one​⁠​ intruding.

“Consider‌‌ it an assassin’s‌ habit. I hope‌ you’ll forgive me.”⁠

Despite​‌‌ the courtesy, Altair​‌‌ rubbed his chin​⁠ familiarly. Kojima frowned.‌

“Even‌ habits must have‍ limits. Cross them,⁠​ and there are⁠ consequences. Let’s skip‌ the chit-chat. Why⁠ are you here?‍ Did Siegfried send​ you?”

“I’m‌​ afraid not. The​⁠ Auditore family is⁠ a house of⁠​​ order. We don’t‍‌‍ act on others’⁠ commands—we move by​⁠‌ our own judgment.”‌​

“Then‌‍​ explain why you’ve⁠​‍ trespassed into a national leader’s quarters.‍ Choose your words‌​‍ carefully, unless you⁠ want this to‍​‍ escalate.”

At⁠‌‍ Kojima’s threat, Altair’s⁠‌ pleasant smile vanished.‌

“Rumors​​‍ are spreading. That‍⁠ you plan to‌‍‍ seize control of‍ the Hero Association.”⁠⁠

“…….”⁠​

Ice‍ clinked softly in‍‌ the glass. The‌​‍ whiskey’s aroma had⁠⁠​ mellowed.

“If⁠ those rumors are​ true… wouldn’t that​ be overreaching? You’re‌‍‍ already a Seven⁠ Star Hero and‍ the leader of‌‌​ a nation. Now⁠⁠ you want the‍‌ Association too? That’s​ too much.”

Kojima‍ downed his drink‍‍⁠ in one gulp⁠​ and answered bluntly.​

“Baseless​‌ rumors.”

“You‌⁠​ know what they‍ say—where there’s smoke,⁠ there’s fire.”

“Let’s​ say it were⁠​‌ true. So what?​⁠ If the seat’s‌ been vacant nearly​⁠⁠ ten years, why⁠ shouldn’t I take⁠‌‍ it?”

“The⁠‌‌ world has its‍​‍ order, Kojima. Changseong‍⁠ is the strongest⁠⁠ candidate now. For‍⁠ someone like you⁠‍⁠ to interfere—”

Kojima⁠‌ chuckled coldly.

“Richard‍‌ of Mura? That​⁠‌ man acts more‌​‌ with brawn than​ brains. He’s unfit‌‍ for the role.”⁠​‍

“Even​⁠ if true, that’s‍ not for you​‍​ to decide.”

“Did‌‌‌ you come here‌‌ just to play⁠‌ word games?”

“Not​‍ at all.”

Altair’s‌‍​ eyes flashed dangerously.‌

“I​ came to warn‍‌‍ you, Kojima. Do⁠‍⁠ not cross the​ line. If you‍​‌ do, the Auditores​‌‌ won’t sit idly‍ by. That’s my​ message.”

Altair‌​ turned toward the​ door. Just before‌⁠ leaving, he added‌ gravely.

“One‌​‌ more piece of⁠⁠ advice—stay away from‍​ the new Seven‍⁠⁠ Star, the Heavenly‍‍ Sword.”

Crash.‌ The whiskey glass‍​‌ shattered on the‌ floor, glass flying.​

Kojima​‍ roared with fury.‍‌⁠

“Patriarch!​‌ Don’t overstep. How‍​ dare you speak​‌⁠ to me like⁠ that, to Saki‌​ Kojima?! You speak‍⁠ of order, yet​‌⁠ your words only‌⁠ bring chaos.”

“Order,‍⁠ as it should​​⁠ be, stands equal‌​​ beneath the heavens.”‌

Altair‍‌​ tapped his staff​​ on the floor.​‌⁠ Shadows stirred around‍ them, shifting.

Shhhh.​

In⁠⁠ an instant, over⁠‌ thirty presences filled​​ the suite. Assassins—eyes‍‌⁠ glowing red.

Altair​ declared.

“And⁠ if it’s not​​ order that upholds‌‍ the sky, then​ what does?”

“You​⁠​ saying that brat‌ is the sky?”‌

“They⁠⁠‍ call him the‍‌ ‘Heavenly Sword.’ I don’t think it’s⁠‌‌ exaggeration.”

Altair’s​⁠‌ eyes glinted coldly.‌

“So⁠ forget your obsession‍​​ with order, and⁠​⁠ worry about your​​​ own conduct—unless you‌ want your neck‌‍ sliced into sashimi.⁠‌​ Unlike me, Heavenly​​ Sword has no⁠ patience.”

***‍

I returned to Wolf⁠ Class after a long time—on Media’s‌ suggestion, to enjoy⁠‍​ student life before⁠ official ceremonies began.​

Honestly,‌⁠ attending “how to‍‍ be a hero”‍ classes after becoming‍ a Seven Star‌⁠ Hero…

It⁠ felt like a general taking soldier‍‌​ training.

Even‌‍ so, I planned⁠ to keep attending​‍⁠ whenever possible. I remembered my first‍‍ master’s words—that school​ was for bonds,‍ not just knowledge.​​

That’s‌ why I came‌ with a good⁠⁠ attitude. But—

“Kyaaa!​ It’s the Heavenly‌ Sword! Please, an​‌​ autograph!”

“I’ve‍‍‌ been a fan‍‍‍ forever! Can I take a photo​⁠ with you?”

“Heavenly⁠ Sword! Heavenly Sword!⁠‌ Heavenly Sword! Heavenly​​​ Sword!”

I froze. There were⁠ so many people.‍⁠​ Wasn’t there still‌⁠⁠ a minute before⁠⁠‍ class started? At‌ this rate, I wouldn’t even make⁠‍⁠ it inside.

I expected this, but​​​ this is absurd.​‍⁠

Students‍ from all classes​ and years had‍​ crowded in. It⁠ was so packed⁠‌ I could barely⁠ breathe.

And‍​ the worst part?‍‍​ Some of the​⁠ mob were instructors.​

I get students being‍⁠⁠ excited—but you guys​​ work here! This​​‍ is just slacking‌​‍ on the job.‍

Also,‍​ stop chanting “Heavenly​​​ Sword” over and⁠‍ over!

My⁠​‍ face burned. For‍​⁠ someone from Earth,​‍⁠ getting called by​ a nickname like‌ that was embarrassing—straight-up⁠​​ uncomfortable.

I’d​ just gotten used‌‍ to my real⁠‍​ name, and now‍‍​ I had to​​ carry this pompous⁠​ title? I wanted‌⁠ to crawl into⁠​ a hole.

‘This​⁠⁠ is insane.’

As​‍ I sighed amid‌ the crowd, a thunderous voice rang⁠‍‌ from the entrance.‍ The attention on​ me dispersed.

“Class‌ is starting! Everyone‍‍​ to your seats!”⁠​‍

It​⁠‍ was Instructor Lee‌ Won-bin, proud teacher‍ of Wolf Class.​ His shiny bald‌‍​ head gleamed—almost blinding.⁠‍​

He⁠​‌ scolded the hiding⁠‌ instructors and restored⁠‌ order. The commotion‌ died like it⁠ had been doused.⁠​ Now I understood‌ why people said⁠‍ he held clout​ among the faculty.⁠‍​ No doubt, he⁠‌ was a role⁠ model.

Once​ things settled, Instructor​ Lee glanced around‍ and approached me⁠‌‍ cautiously.

“I…⁠‍​ Heavenly Sword.”

“Just‍​ call me Kang‌‌⁠ Geom-Ma. At least‍ here at the‌​‌ academy, I’m clearly⁠⁠ below you, instructor.”⁠

“……!”​​

“If⁠⁠⁠ even you keep‍‍ your distance, it’ll‌ be hard for​⁠⁠ me to keep​ attending. Please, speak​ normally.”

His⁠‍ eyes widened—he looked‌‌⁠ a little moved.⁠ I gave a small smile.

“Then…”‍‌

He‍ lowered his voice‌‌ to a whisper​‍ and gave a sheepish grin.

“Would⁠‍ it be too⁠⁠ much to ask…‌⁠‌ for an autograph‍‍ later? My niece’s‍‍‌ a big fan.‌‍ Ah, and—if you‌‌ don’t mind, I’d​‌ like one too,‌‌ haha.”

The‌ smile on my⁠​ face instantly collapsed.​⁠‍

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